Celebration for Epiphany has a Tour de France theme

Published on January 6, 2016 by Chris Robinson

The traditional celebration of eating galette des rois at Epiphany has a Tour de France theme in some parts of Normandy. The galette (which means pancake) is a sweet flaky pastry cake flavoured with frangipane/almond paste. Each cake has a small charm hidden in it which is similar to the tradition of hiding coins in Christmas puddings. Whoever gets the slice with the charm in it, is crowned the king and wears the crown supplied with the cake. The cakes can be eaten hot or cold and most villages put on an event to celebrate Epiphany where the cakes are shared. A selected number of bakers in Normandy will be including Tour de France themed charms in their galettes. It's a lovely tradition and gives people a chance to wish their friends and neighbours the very best for the coming year. The cakes can usually be bought throughout January.

Until 2014 I worked in central London as a marketeer for a membership organization. Years of watching property renovation programmes on TV sparked a dream to do this in France having studied French and worked there previously. I left my job and completed the sale of my house on the same day (a stroke of luck rather than good planning) and headed off to Normandy. I undertook a barn renovation project managing the artisans’ workload. The result is a 3 bedroom gite which I now market all year providing me with endless opportunities to increase my skills and knowledge.

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